International pressure mounts on Ukraine's controversial education law

Tamás Menczer said that a statement made by the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and the preliminary report by the Venice Commission has proven that this is not just a Hungarian issue, but a European one

The pressure on Ukraine is increasing after two international organizations have criticized their new education law affecting minorities.

A statement made by the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and the preliminary report by the Venice Commission has proven that this is not just a Hungarian issue, but a European one, Tamás Menczer, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Deputy State Secretary for Communication and Parliamentary Coordination, said.

“Following the statement by the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and the preliminary report by the Venice Commission, it has been definitively proven that this is not just a Hungarian issue, but a European one," Menczer said.

He pointed out that on Friday in Brussels, Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, informed the EU-Ukraine Association Council of the three most important points of the Hungarian standpoint.

“At the meeting, the minister reiterated that acquired minority rights may not be taken away, in addition to which Ukraine should begin substantive talks with the Hungarian minority and must fully implement the recommendations and conclusions of the Venice Commission," Menczer explained.

He said that Hungary would like Ukraine to fulfil the legitimate expectations posed by the international community.

“Ukraine is clearly in a deciding position, not Hungary," Menczer said. He added that Ukraine brought about the situation and is also the one capable of solving it.

Menczer stressed that the Hungarian government will continue to fight for the right of Transcarpathian Hungarians to receive education in their native language until the situation has been resolved to their satisfaction.